Functionalization, characterization and application of cellulose and cellulose derivatives

The project aim is to advance the current state of knowledge on fundamental cellulose chemistry and analytics. Development and application of more defined, but large scale applicable processes for cellulose modification are the goal. Modern analytical tools will be applied for product characterization. Oxidation will be employed as a major modification. Selective oxidation with periodate will be used to change the functionalities at cellulose C2 and C3 and nitroxyl radicals for altering the C6 hydroxyl. Non-selective oxidation will be accomplished using peroxide, while the modification of the fiber surfaces will be achieved by plasma treatment. Establishing a correlation between selective oxidation processes and product properties will finally allow application of less selective oxidation protocols to reach similar results. Structural changes will be characterized by FTIR and XRD for crystallinity, SEC-MALLS combined with fluorescence labeling to address oxidation profiles and cross-linking, SEM to characterize surface changes. In addition, the mechanical, electrical and sorption properties of the final material will be measured. Possible applications, e.g. the immobilization of active compounds (enzymes, drugs, amino polysaccharides) and the sorption of different metal ions, will be studied. A better understanding of the influence of cellulose modification on final properties can be expected, allowing for a more tailored design based on modification on the molecular level.